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The opposition UPND has charged that the high turnover of its vice-presidents cannot be faulted on party leader Hakainde Hichilema.
UPND Spokesman Charles Kakoma said reports being circulated on social media that the UPND has expelled five vice presidents from the party in less than 15 years are uniformed, misleading and mere PF propaganda.
Mr Kakoma gave a chronological account of the individuals who held the post of UPND Vice President and circumstances in which they left the UPND.
1. Mr Sakwiba Sikota left on his own after losing the UPND Presidential election race to Mr Hakainde Hichilema at the UPND convention or general assembly.
2. Mr Patrick Chisanga and Mr Bob Sichinga left on their own in the aftermath of the UPND convention. They were neither expelled from the party nor removed from their positions. Hon Sichinga later on changed his mind and came back to the UPND to campaign for HH in the 2016 presidential elections.
3. Mr Francis Simenda left on his own after being offered a position by PF as ambassador to Ethiopia. The PF cheated him and in less than six months, they dismissed him from his diplomatic job.
4. Mr Richard Kapita left on his own to campaign for the PF and Edgar Lungu. He was rewarded a position of provincial minister in the PF government.
5. Dr Cannisius Banda left in frustration after being left out as a running mate to HH. GBM was HH’s preferred running mate.
6. The National Management Committee of the UPND has passed a vote of no confidence in its vice president Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba and asked him to exculpate himself from allegations of gross misconduct. If he manages to successfully exculpate himself, he will not be disciplined.
7. The high turnover of UPND vice-presidents cannot be faulted on President Hakainde Hichilema. In some of the cases, the ruling party had its dirty hand in it.
HH and GBM during a news conference at the UPND secretariat on Thursday, April 4th 2019
By Dickson Jere
The ongoing cracks in the top leadership of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) brings to the fore the practicality of Article 110 of our Republican Constitution – the clause that introduced the Vice President as running mate. Just imagine if UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema won the 2016 presidential vote and Godfrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) as his running mate was his Vice President. The current differences, even though internal party squabbles, would have presented a constitutional crisis for the country! As President, you cannot fire your running mate or Vice President. I have always thought we need to re-think about that running mate clause! It can be very problematic!
Let’s take a look at our next door neighbor Malawi.
It has a similar running mate clause. But the experience there calls for re-think. All the three running mates who became Vice Presidents of Malawi ended up differing with the President. And the President could not fire them thereby creating a constitutional crisis. For example, President Bingu Wa Mutharika had to send his running mate and Vice President Cassim Chilumpha to prison for treason! But he remained Veep while in remand prison. In his second term, Mutharika differed with his new Vice President Joyce Banda. He kicked her out of the ruling party but she remained constitutionally a Vice President of Malawi even after she formed her own party. When Mutharika died, she assumed the Presidency even though she was an opposition leader! Currently, President Peter Wa Mutharika (younger brother) has differed with his Vice President Saulos Chilima. And so you have the Vice President, who formed his own party and now standing against his boss in the coming elections but he remains Vice President of the Republic! Classic right?
As for the current arrangement in Zambia, it appears to be working largely because Vice President Mama Inonge Wina appears to be elderly, mature and reserved. She is not power hungry as was the case with Malawi Vice Presidents. She keeps to her lane. Imagine having a Vice President with naked presidential ambitions? Friction will be the order of the day!
You see, Zambian political parties have had problems with Vice Presidents. The then ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) had to freeze the veep post, twice, at the convention. This was under President Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda, respectively. The freezing was aimed at bringing harmony in the party and therefore the party operated without one. Even the PF in opposition, operated for very long time without Vice President. So the troubles in UPND are not new when it comes to Vice President. Since it’s formation, it has had eight Vice Presidents but only two Presidents. These are; John Mulwila, SC, Patrick Chisanga, Bob Sichinga, Sakwiba Sikota, SC, Canicius Banda, Richard Kapita, Francis Simenda and GBM. Off course the high number could also be attributed to the fact that it has two Vice Presidents at a go…
So as the National Dialogue starts deliberations on the Constitution next week, the running mate clause must be re-looked given the lessons and circumstances highlighted above. What happens when the Vice President goes wayward? Or decides to challenge the boss while holding the office? Or if he is fired from the ruling party? These must be fine-tuned! Yes, it has worked well in the US but it hasn’t in Malawi!
Have a peaceful and holy Easter!
The Registrar of Societies has declared as null and void the appointment of Mr. Chishimba Kambwili as National Democratic Congress(NDC) President.
And the Registrar has advised Mr. Kambwili not to conduct NDC Party activities as its President to avoid being in conflict with the supreme law of the land.
In a statement to media today, Ministry of Home Affairs Public Relations Officer Nephas Chifuta said the process of appointing Mr. Kambwili as President of the NDC was not in accordance with the provisions of the Party’s Constitution.
Mr. Chifuta has reminded the NDC to adhere to its party Constitution and avoid short cuts in order to maintain order and remain compliant to the Societies Act Cap 119 of the laws of Zambia.
He said according to article 18 of the NDC Constitution, the National Party Congress is the supreme policy making organ of the party comprising one thousand members drawn from all the provinces of Zambia.
Mr. Chifuta said the National Party Congress is the only Party organ with the mandate to elect the Party President at its national congress, adding that it is only the National Party Congress which can amend, approve and adopt the Party Constitution.
Mr. Chifuta has stressed that these steps where not followed by the NDC and has since declared as illegal Mr. Kambwili’s appointment as party leader.
Below is the full statement
(For Immediate Release)
I wish to confirm that the Registrar of Societies is in receipt of a letter dated 18th April, 2019, from the National Democratic Congress Party (NDC) Secretary General Mr. Mwenya Musenge.
In the letter Mr. Musenge is requesting the Registrar of Societies to intervene and provide guidance in a matter where an alleged illegal meeting was called by the Deputy Secretary General of the Party, which endorsed Dr. Chishimba Kambwili as president of the NDC, contrary to the provisions of their Party Constitution.
The Registrar of Societies in her guidance letter has highlighted that the NDC Party Constitution deposited at the department upon registration of the Party, has clear and elaborate provisions regarding the appointment of the president of the Party.
According to article 18 of their Constitution, the National Party Congress is the supreme policy making organ of the party and comprises 1000 members drawn from all the ten provinces of Zambia.
The National Party Congress is the only Party organ with the mandate to elect the Party president at its national congress. In addition to that, it is only the National Party Congress which can amend, approve and adopt the Party Constitution.
Furthermore, their Constitution stipulates in article 23(g) that “in the absence of the Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary General shall preside over the activities of the Party and give a comprehensive report to the Secretary General upon his/her return to the office. ” To the contrary, the meeting proceeded despite the substantive Secretary General being in the office.
In view of the above, the process for the appointment of Dr. Chishimba Kambwili as president of the National Democratic Congress Party was not in accordance with the provisions of their Party Constitution and therefore, it is null and void.
I therefore, wish to advise Dr. Chishimba Kambwili not to conduct NDC Party activities as its president to avoid being in conflict with the supreme law of the land. The Party is further reminded to adhere to its Constitution at all times, avoid short cut in order to maintain order and remain compliant to the Societies Act Cap 119 of the laws of Zambia.
UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango addressing the media at the secretariat after the NMC meeting.
By Elias Munshya
Everything being equal, the UPND can still win in 2021 without the Bemba vote, as long as it maintains its current hold on the Zambezi provinces (Northwestern, Western, and Southern) while the PF support disintegrates to NDC in the Bemba speaking corridors of Luapula, Northern, Muchinga and in Lusaka and Copperbelt.
NDC is more likely to take votes from the PF, more than it will take votes from the UPND. The UPND remains a very strong party in Zambia due to its sway over the Zambezi Provinces.
Unless a political party emerges that challenges the UPND’s hegemony over the Zambezi Provinces, Hakainde Hichilema remains a favorite to win in 2021.
What should be HH’s strategy?
Encourage the growth of the NDC. In fact, he needs to help the NDC usurp PF structures in Lusaka and the Copperbelt. It appears like HH has not quite gotten the urban areas.
Focus UPND energy on the Zambezi provinces and ensure that they maintain the turnout from those provinces.
In a 3-way race for the presidency, the UPND is more likely to hit the proverbial 50+1 solely relying on the strong turnout from the Zambezi, as PF and NDC split the votes in Lusaka-CB and the Bemba-speaking corridor.
Regarding HH and the Bembas, he is damned if he keeps courting them, and damned if he stops. With the impending departure of GBM, HH’s relationship with the Bembas will become even more precarious. What can a man do? He has tried his best to court the Bemba areas, but to no breakthrough. Solution? Take his efforts elsewhere knowing that the Bembas might turn to him after they notice his momentum in the Zambezi.
We need to add something here.
GBM’s reaction to the UPND is a double-edged sword. If GBM alleges that the UPND is a tribal party, he is likely to anger the Zambezi provinces even more and as a result, the UPND is likely to emerge even stronger in these areas as they will be in the defensive. Is GBM likely to make the Bemba vote difficult for the UPND? I really do not think that what GBM says about UPND will break the low support that HH enjoys in Bemba areas. HH’s support in Bemba areas cannot get any lower. There is no point in GBM destroying HH among Bembas as there is really nothing to destroy there. Even with GBM in toll, HH never had a significant penetration of Bemba areas.
UPND in the Zambezi provinces can quite easily just heap it all on the Bemba GBM. They could just drive the narrative that the Bemba veep became ungovernable. UPND will not lose any support for that.
Indo-Zambia Bank, has declared K24 million dividend to its shareholder the Industrial Development Corporation for the financial year ended 31st December 2018.
Speaking during a media brief before the cheque handover, Indo- Zambia Bank Chairperson, Mrs. Orlean Moyo disclosed, the bank recorded 37.9% growth in operating profit from K182m (2017) to K251m (2018) with net profit recording a 28.3% increase from K108.9m (2017) to K139.7 (2018).
She said the Board was proud of the historic performance which further establishes the bank as a progressive brand dedicated to providing services that create value for its shareholders and other stakeholders.
Receiving the dividend cheque, IDC Group CEO, Mr Mateyo Kaluba said the performance of the bank continues to be an example of what good performance and good management can achieve.
Mr Kaluba said IDC takes pride that the bank is performing well and excellent work is being done by management, despite the competitive environment that exists in the banking sector.
He further said the dividends the IDC receives are used to invest in new ventures and create jobs, and was therefore, proud of the impact that Indo-Zambia bank is having on the country.
“The country needs institutions that can create jobs and invest in green fields and IDC was created to specifically fulfill that mandate on behalf of the Zambian government’, he said.
Mr Kaluba said, IDC as a shareholder was confident in the future of the bank, and also certain of the bank’s prominence on the Zambian banking landscape, for as long as it continues on this trajectory.
IDC holds 40% shares in Indo-Zambia Bank.
IDC Chief Executive Officer Mateyo Kaluba rearing a statement during the cheque handover ceremonyIndo Zambia Bank Board Chairperson Mrs. Orlean Moyo delivering a statement during the cheque hand over ceremony.
GBM addressing a news conference at the UPND secretariat on Thursday, April 4th 2019
The United Party for National Development has with immediate effect passed a vote on no confidence against its Vice President Geoffrey Mwamba for gross misconduct.
This is pursuant to article 70 and 71 of the UPND Constitution.
This was after long hours of deliberation by the national Management Committee yesterday afternoon.
Announcing the development after the deliberations, UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango said the vote of no confidence against Mr. Mwamba polled 75 of the secret votes while those for Mr. Mwamba polled 0.
Mrs. Nalumango explained that Article 71 of the UPND Constitution provides that Deputy President, National Chairperson, Secretary General and Treasurers General may be disciplined by two thirds secret ballot vote of no confidence passed by the National Management Committee who may decide on whatever sanction to impose against the erring official as per UPND Disciplinary code of conduct on recommendation from the NEC.
She said the National Management Committee further resolved that Mr. Mwamba exculpates himself within seven days effective yesterday during which he will remain suspended until final determination after the exculpation.
Mrs. Nalumango said during the period of suspension, Mr. Mwamba shall not be allowed to perform any party functions.
UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango addressing the media at the secretariat after the NMC meeting.
Nkana on Saturday return to FAZ Super Division action when they visit Power Dynamos at Arthur Davies in the second instalment of the 2019 Kitwe derby.
Kalampa take on Power seven days after being eliminated from the 2018/19 CAF Confederation Cup at the quarterfinal stage via a 3-2 aggregate loss to Tunisians CS Sfaxien.
Nkana will now be playing catch up as they have six unplayed matches in Pool B.
Power thumped Nkana 2-0 in the first round match played in Wusakile last February.
“This game matters a lot especially for us. We messed up in the first leg against Power as we lost. We are looking forward to Saturday game,” Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi said.
Nkana are second from the bottom of the table with 9 points from seven matches played while fifth placed Power have 17 points.
This derby marks the start of Coach Fordson Kabole’s second reign at Arthur Davies after replacing dismissed Kelvin Kaindu last Tuesday.
‘These derbies are very difficulty so we don’t predict. We will just put in more effort. No prediction,’ Kabole said in a pre-match interview.
Kabole was Chambeshi’s boss at Power before being fired in 2012.
Green Eagles on Friday have moved from second to first in Pool B of the 2019 FAZ Super Division after toppling hosts Buildcon 1-0 to exchange places on the log at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Eagles move one point clear at the top in Pool B on 24 points after relegating Buildcon to the number two spot after twelve games played this season.
Tapson Kaseba scored the all-important goal in the 57th minute when he headed in a searching ball from defender Warren Kunda to net his fourth of the 2019 campaign.
Kaseba’s goal came a minute after Buildcon striker Kingsley Kangwa saw his shot come off the woodwork.
Lazarus Phiri too hit the beam at the opposite end in the 63rd minute as they eventually left with the three points and ended Buildcon four-match winning run.
Eagles stay on the Copperbelt for another five days to play Nkana in a delayed Week Six fixture on April 24 in Kitwe.
Meanwhile, in the Good Friday Levy Stadium doubleheader lunchtime kickoff, Forest Rangers rose from fourth to third for at least 24 hours in Pool B following a 3-2 home win over struggling debutants Circuit City.
Laurent Muma, Adams Zikiru and Austin Muwowo scored for Forest in the 25th, 49th and 80th minutes respectively.
Circuit City goals came from Augustine Maozeka in the 28th minute and a Biston Banda penalty in the 88th minute.
Nkwazi, who have 20 points, will reclaim third place on Saturday if they beat bottom placed FC MUZA away in Mazabuka.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION WEEK 13 FIXTURES & RESULTS
20/04/2019
POOL A
Green Buffaloes-Red Arrows
Kabwe Warriors-Nakambala Leopards
Prison Leopards-Lusaka Dynamos
Zanaco-Zesco United
21/04/2019
Mufuira Wanderers -Kitwe United
Pool B
19/04/2019
Forest Rangers 3-Circuit City 2
Buildcon 0-Green Eagles 1
20/04/2019
Napsa Stars-Lumwana Radiants
FC MUZA-Nkwazi
Power Dynamos-Nkana
Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya says investing in disease intelligence surveillance is key to safeguarding economic gains that African Countries have made.
Dr Chilufya says it is important that countries invest in robust health security measures to shield the economic development programmes from any shocks.
The Minister was speaking when a delegation from Malawi led by Chief Director for Health Permanent Secretary Dr Charles Mwansambo.
The Delegation is on a benchmarking visit to the Zambia National Public Health Institute, which is the host of the Africa Center for Disease Control and prevention Southern Africa Regional Collaborating Centre.
And Dr Mwansambo said Malawi appreciates Zambia’s support to the response of the public health event caused by Cyclone Idai.
Dr Mwansambo said the tour to Zambia has given Malawi an insight and good ground to establish its own Public Health Institute.
The Zambia Revenue Authority has unearthed another transit fraud smuggling case worth over K408,000.
This is a pure case of transit fraud contrary to the Customs and Excise Act 322 of the Laws of Zambia, according to Topsy Sikalinda, the Zambia Revenue Authority Corporate Communications Manager.
Facts of the matter are that meat products purported to be transiting for the Democratic Republic of Congo when in fact not are being offloaded at a farm named Ilobezi Zambia Limited located between Mazabuka and Monze.
Mr. Sikalinda explained that at Kazungula Boarder post, the customs officers sealed the truck with official seals as per requirement for all transit goods but the importer opened the truck using supplicated means by unscrewing the door panels without tempering with the seals and offloaded 1, 382 boxes and only left 230 boxes on the truck
He said the Authority has since issued seizure notices for both the meat and the truck and has with immediate effect suspended the clearing license for Federal Cargo Limited who is the clearing agent and investigations continue in the matter.
Mr. Sikalinda said since the goods are perishable by nature, ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda has invoked the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act cap 322 which empower him to dispose the perishable goods and has decided to donate the goods to Security wings and Hospitals.
He said the Zambia Army has since received 350 boxes of meat, Zambia Airforce will get 250 boxes, Zambia national Service 250 boxes, Zambia Correctional Service 250 boxes, Zambia National Service 250 boxes while the University Teaching Hospital will get 200 and the Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital 200 boxes.
Mr. Sikalinda has warned that the Zambia Revenue Authority will not spare any smuggler.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu welcomes Ambbassodor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Alowalfeer and his term when the Saudi Arabia called on the first lady at State House
Zambia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to negotiate and sign a Bilateral Trade Agreement to facilitate seamless trade and a Bilateral Investment Treaty to facilitate investment.
And Saudi Arabia is considering sending a Technical team to Zambia to assess the epidemic situation and veterinary services as well as get acquainted with procedures followed to control Foot and Mouth Disease thus to consider uplifting the ban of export of livestock to Saudi Arabia.
At the 3rd Session of the Zambia-Saudi Arabia Joint Permanent Commission in that country from 16th to 18th April, 2019, the two countries also agreed to explore ways and means of procuring more petroleum products for Zambia from that country.
Saudi Arabia expressed interest to cooperate with Zambia in the supply of phosphate fertilizer, investment in farm blocks and health sector in Zambia, training of Zambian medical specialists in various medical fields, renewable energy, collaboration between agriculture and veterinary research institutes, as well as opportunities under the Saudi Fund for Development and the Saudi Export Program.
According to a statement issued by Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry spokesperson Godfridah Chanda, the two countries agreed to developed linkages between selected hospitals and to exchange information in the field of communicable diseases.
The two countries further agreed to explore cooperation and conclude MoUs in the fields of disaster risk management, social protection, labour, trade, investment, industrial policy and quality control, press, television and broadcasting, tourism, education, agriculture, animal resources, fisheries and aquaculture, collaboration between agriculture and veterinary research institutes, double taxation as well as combating all crimes in general, including human trafficking, fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering and drug trafficking.
Mrs. Chanda said Saudi Arabia undertook to consider Zambia’s request for Saudi support in the establishment of a Rehabilitation Centre for Substance Abusers.
She said it was agreed to work out modalities for the implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement signed between the two countries.
Ms. Chanda said the JPC noted the significant achievements made since the 3rd JPC Session such as the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Political Consultations, signing of the Air Services Agreement, support by the Saudi Fund for Development to Zambia in the area of health and transportation, and financing to support importers of Saudi products through the Development Bank of Zambia; and
She said the two sides agreed to support each other’s candidatures at international organisations, on a reciprocal basis.
Mrs. Chanda said the meeting resolved in conclusion that the Fourth Session of the Zambia – Saudi Arabia Joint Permanent Commission will take place in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2021, on a date to be agreed upon in due course.
The 3rd JPC Session was successful as the outcomes are in line with the focus that both countries have to achieve their respective National Visions in the year 2030.
The Zambian Delegation was led by Mrs. Kayula Siame, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry accompanied by Dr. David Shamulenge, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Mr. Ibrahim Mumba, Zambia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia as well as other senior Government officials from the Ministries of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Livestock and Fisheries, Health and members of Staff from the Embassy in Riyady.
Naomi Tetamashimba is a member of the UPND based in Solwezi.
By Naomi Tetamashimba
The past one week has been challenging and trying for my great party the UPND. As a revolutionary liberation movement for the Zambian people , our hopes have been underpinned on the need to sustain our struggle.
It is no secret that the last few days, we the UPND and the country at large has woken up to a bitter internal struggle in the leadership of the party.
I don’t think as a party we should engage in any factional battles but our loyalty should remain with UPND as an economic independence movement .
I do not agree with the manner in which our Vice President GBM,my choice of president HH and the Secretary General have handled the matters facing the party just like I don’t agree with the youths that gathered to disparage the leadership of our party at the secretariat.
There are party channels to be followed and more mature ways that we as youths could have handled the situation with RESPECT to our leaders and party at large.
We are UPND a party with guidelines and order and not what I witnessed today.
There should not be UPND for GBM or UPND for HH , only one UPND which belongs to all of us.
I therefore call upon our leaders that in the interest of the Zambian people in desperate need of hope,who have faith and confidence only in the UPND as the next government,should continue to engage and find a way out of of this temporal political quagmire.
It is very natural to differ, it even happens to the best of us in our families, marriages and churches but how we reconcile and move forward is very essential .
If it comes to the worst and our leaders still struggle to come to one understanding , let’s remember the HH plus GBM brand that once worked for the good of the party and that it is okay to agree to disagree and move on with RESPECT.
I further would like to appeal to my party members to resist the pressure and temptation to take a side in this matter, the greater side will always be Team UPND. Therefore let’s unite and support our leaders with one unifying voice.
Together we can build a better tomorrow and I believe with God on our side, this too shall pass.
The author is a member of the UPND based in Solwezi.
Trade Consultant Trevor Simumba making a presentation during the launch of his study “He Who Pays the Piper” which focuses on Chinese debt.
Respected Trade and Economic Consultant Trevor Simumba has insisted that Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe is incompetetant to run the Ministry.
Mr Simumba last week called for the sacking of Mrs. Mwanakatwe for allegedly failing to manage the economy.
He further suggested that President Edgar Lungu should consider replacing Mrs. Mwanakatwe with Ms. Dorika Banda.
But the Economics Association of Zambia came out in defence of Mrs Mwanakatwe stating that she has the right credentials for the job.
In a statement, the Association Deputy National Secretary Rita Mkandawire said it was ethically incorrect for Mr Simumba to lobby for Mrs Mwanakatwe’s replacement publicly.
But Mr Simumba has responded to the EAZ staging that his sentiments on the performance of Mrs Mwanakatwe still stands.
“I find it quite disheartening that a professional body like EAZ would drag gender into a discussion on the poor management of the economy by the Minister of Finance,” Mr Simumba said.
“This Minister has failed not because she is a woman NO but because she does not have the competence to manage a public finance and macro-economic system of the country,” he said.
“Yes she is well qualified and had a stellar career in banking, finance and investment but running a Ministry of Finance is a whole different ball game especially when you are facing a crisis,” he said.
“It is nothing personal towards Madam Mwanakatwe. In fact you will be shocked to know she is my in-law and a close friend to my immediate family members.”
Mr. Simumba charged that public office demands public accountability.
“My genuine and strong opinion is that she is not capable of managing the real fiscal and monetary crisis Zambia is facing right now. She is not the architect of our problems but unfortunately she has made it worse since she became Minister,” he stated.
“And if she remains beyond the next three months many of you including the EAZ and the President will remember my words and warning. I love Zambia and I want Zambia to prosper and succeed but never will I remain silent and watch my country decline,” he said.
Socialist Party in Zambia Presidential candidate Fred Mmembe with members of the Women’s League.
The Socialist Party in Zambia says that it is impossible to achieve meaningful emancipation of women without eradicating capitalism.
Speaking during the socialist party women’s league coordinators meeting in Lusaka recently, Socialist Party 2021 presidential candidate Dr Fred M’membe said the women’s league was created as a wing of the party for specific purposes to be achieved.
Dr M’membe disclosed that there are many types of feminism in the world today whose discourse was dominated by capitalists.
“We are not capitalist, our feminism is different from that of capitalists,” he said.
He stated that the socialist women’s league and youth league had to be run 100% on communist ideological discourse.
“Any departure from that will not be accepted,” he said.
Dr M’membe indicated that socialist women’s league would be subject to the direction of the socialist party central committee when it was constituted.
“70 percent of the membership of the party is women, issues to do with women must and have to dominate the party agendas,” he said.
Dr M’membe lamented that women wage double and general struggles against capitalism, oppression and humiliation.
“Women waging double struggles mean they need more support, commitment and additional institutions like the women’s league,” he said.
He stated that issues concerning women and their struggles can sometimes become complicated which requires a lot of education -ideologically and politically.
“We need to deepen our understanding ideologically to avoid drifting back to bourgeois feminism,” he said.
Dr M’membe further stated that the socialist party would look up to the socialist women’s league to produce leadership for the party.
